TOLUCA
Toluca, the capital of the State
of Mexico, is the highest
city in the nation, with an
altitude of 2680 meters
(8,844 feet) above
sea level. It lies 65 km (40 mi) west
of Mexico City. Toluca has an average temperature of 18º C (64º F) and three microclimates:
cold, semi-cold and temperate. The area gets rainfall
during the summer.
Toluca is a city
where you?ll see contrasts of
old and new.
On the one
hand, it is called La Bella (The
Beautiful One) due to the
French neoclassical architecture. Notable examples include the Portales and the Cathedral,
considered one of the city's
most important artistic expressions from the 19th-century colonial period. On the other hand,
Toluca has a large and well-developed industrial area.
This dynamic metropolis is surrounded
by stunning natural beauty,
as you?ll see at the Parque Nacional Insurgente
Miguel Hidalgo, popularly known
as La Marquesa. There you can
do a wide variety of extreme sports and outdoor recreational
activities. The Nevado de
Toluca, a popular ecotourism site,
is the country's
fourth highest volcano and the
only one in the world with
a crater that can be reached by car.
If it?s art and culture you're after, Toluca is the city
with second highest number of museums in the
nation, including those located at
the Centro Cultural Mexiquense. Also
of interest is the Cosmovitral,
which houses an amazing botanical
garden and has one of the
largest stained glass artworks in the world.
The nearby town of Metepec
is famous for its talented
artisans, particularly the master craftsmen who make the
popular Arboles de la Vida (Trees of Life) ceramics.
During your visit to Toluca, be sure to try
the tasty green or red chorizo (Mexican sausage). After the meal
you can take an unforgettable stroll under the
moonlight in the downtown area before
visiting the many nightspots, where you can hang
out and have a great time with the locals.
